June 04, 2019

Louisiana Health Alert Network (LA HAN) - First Responder Immunization Recommendations 

This is a message from the Louisiana Department of Health Emergency Operations Center (LDH EOC) to share a message from the LDH Office of Public Health Immunization Program in an effort to urge all first responders in Louisiana to review their vaccination status. Please read the message that follows from Dr. Frank Welch, Medical Director of the Immunization Program, regarding this subject. Please share and distribute this message with relevant stakeholders and partners through your own distribution channels.

Immunization Recommendations for Disaster Responders

This Health Alert message is to urge all first responders in the State of Louisiana to review your vaccination status with your healthcare provider, and update any needed vaccines prior to hurricane season. We encourage all first responders to be up-to-date on all age-appropriate vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), including a yearly influenza vaccination.

Vaccinations at the time of an emergency can sometimes delay or interfere with response activities. Some vaccines require completion of a series for full protection. So the time to prepare is now!

Required immunizations for First Responders: 

  1. Tetanus: Responders should receive a tetanus booster if they have not been vaccinated for tetanus during the past 10 years. Td (tetanus/diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) can be used; getting the Tdap formula for one tetanus booster during adulthood is recommended to maintain protection against pertussis.
  2. Hepatitis B vaccine: Hepatitis B vaccine series for persons who will be performing direct patient care or otherwise expected to have contact with bodily fluids.
  3. Hepatitis A vaccine: Vaccine w ill take at least one to two weeks to provide substantial immunity.
  4. MMR: Measles/Mumps/Rubella combination vaccine. You need 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected for life.
  5. In addition, all employees should be screened by their physician office for all age and occupation appropriate protective vaccinations, including a yearly influenza vaccine.

Please share this email with any and all corrections employees and agencies so that all can be prepared.

If you have any questions about adult or employee vaccination, please contact the Louisiana Department of Health Immunization Program at (504) 568-2600 for more information.

LDH EOC

 

About the Louisiana Ambulance Alliance

The Louisiana Ambulance Alliance (LAA) is a diverse group of EMS providers who promote emergency medical transport as a distinct concern in Louisiana; serve as a forum for a unified voice for healthcare providers, public officials, healthcare workers, educators and consumers working to improve emergency medical transport in Louisiana; provide a forum for the exchange and distribution of ideas and information related to the improvement of emergency medical transport; serve as an advocate for emergency medical transport, promoting improved health status and improvements to the health system for residents of Louisiana; and encourage the development of appropriate health resources for Louisiana. 

To learn more about LAA, visit www.LouisianaAmbulanceAlliance.org. For up-to-date information, news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.